CHAPTER 7: INCOGNITO

On a cloudy morning, Usagi could be found sitting at a table in the park with an open book and her pink, sticker-covered laptop. Just beyond the field of green grass and the brightly-colored playground were busy roads with honking cars and buildings that reached toward the sky. Despite the closeness of the bustling of the city, Usagi still felt like the park was a calm soothing place for her to be.

As soft music played through her ear buds - a calming, jazzy mix put together by Mamoru (which normally she wasn't into, honestly, but it was nice to study with) - she looked up, noticing the dark grey clouds in the distance slowly trudging their way across the sky. She knew she wouldn't be able to enjoy the park for much longer. Nevertheless, she looked back to her computer and began to type away at her assignment, stopping every so often to look at her text book for highlighted words.

She gasped loudly when she felt the metal table suddenly shake. Quickly, she pulled out her ear buds and looked up to see Kou Seiya standing across from her, rustling through an open plastic bag he had just set on the table. Wearing sunglasses, a baseball cap, tight black pants that hugged his legs, and a large white sweatshirt, the pop idol was pulling a wrapped sandwich from the bag.

"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you. I got you a sandwich, chips, and tea," Seiya explained.

"Thank you. How much was it? I'll pay you back," she said, opening the zipper of her backpack as he set her food down in front of her.

"Don't you dare," Seiya said as he began to unwrap his own sandwich. Taking an extra large bite, he chewed a bit before asking through a mouthful of food, "What are you doing?"

Usagi watched him fascination. "You're a savage, Seiya."

"You're one to talk. Do you know what you look like when you eat?"

The young woman chucked a highlighter across the table, hitting him in the chest. Glaring at him over the top of the computer, she murmured, "You've been gone for so long I forgot how annoying you are."

Unscathed by her actions and her words, Seiya went in for another bite and then took a gulp of his drink. "You started it. But seriously, you look so smart here with your book. What are you working on?"

"Just an assignment for school." She turned the laptop to face her friend. "I have to come up with outside activities for six-year-olds."

"Huh." Seiya leaned in to take a look at what she had been writing. "You said you're going to college to be a teacher, right?"

Usagi thought about this for a moment before she shrugged. Sometimes she felt silly talking about these things out loud with other senshi. After all, she was destined to become the queen of an entire solar system. What space queen would have a career? Wasn't this all a waste of her time?

"I know I want to work with children, but I don't know exactly what kind of work I want to do."

"Hm. I can imagine you being a teacher, Odango. You're very sensitive and kind."

Usagi smiled.

"And you're really immature, so I think the kids will get along really well with you," he added.

"I'm kidding!" Seiya laughed, dodging a flying pencil and almost knocking his drink over. He quickly reached out to steady the teetering cup as Usagi laughed loudly across from him.

"I'm really just teasing, Odango. It's still blowing my mind to see how grown up you are now. I really do think you'd be a great teacher."

Another smile spread across her pink lips. "Thank you, Seiya-kun."

Before Usagi could say anything else, she felt a small plop of water on her nose. Touching it gently, she looked up at the sky to see that the dark clouds had loomed even closer.

"Uh oh, I think it's time to move inside. Should we find a coffee shop?"

Seiya peeked over the top of his sunglasses and held a hand up, turning his palm toward the sky as he felt for drops of drizzling rain. "Yeah, I think you're right." He took a moment to look around, his blue eyes searched the landscape of the surrounding buildings. "This place looks really familiar," he mused. "Do you live around here?"

"Yeah, just two blocks that way. We passed by this park when you dropped me off."

"Oh, well that's easy then! We can just hang out at your place. As much as I love running into fans, it would be nice to have just one day of privacy."

Usagi's face fell at Seiya's suggestion. She felt bad that the idea made her so uncomfortable.

"I don't know, Seiya-kun," Usagi murmured.

"What's wrong?"

Usagi lowered her voice, whispering, "I am engaged and my fiance is out of the country… if someone saw a famous man coming into my apartment, they might get the wrong idea."

Seiya looked disappointed as he thought about this. "You're right. And I don't think it would be much better if you came to my place," he said quietly. As a pensive silence fell on the pair, Usagi tried her best to think of options. It would be easy to find a place to spend time with Seiya, but not without the distraction of excited fans and curious onlookers. She sighed and closed her eyes, noticing the drop in temperature as a cold breeze brushed against her cheeks.

"Oh!" Seiya gasped suddenly, pulling his companion from her thoughts. He looked at Usagi with renewed hope. "I have an idea!"

"I can come…" He lowered his voice and leaned in, whispering the next word with great drama. "Incognito."

Usagi raised a very skeptical eyebrow. "I don't know, Seiya-kun," she murmured.

"No, it'll be great, Odango! I promise! It will be the best disguise. There's no way anyone will see through it."

Usagi thought about this. Seiya did have a lot of experience being an idol - he probably did know how to disguise himself well.

"Okay, we can try it," she said hesitantly. "But if it's not a good disguise I won't let you in."

Seiya laughed as he stood and gathered his mostly-eaten sandwich and trash. "Don't worry, it'll be really good. I'm going to go home and change. Text me your address and I'll meet you there."

Just as the drops of rain became fatter and fell more heavily from the sky, Usagi reached the door to her apartment building. "Thanks!" She called out to the man who held it open for her before running up the stairs with loud, clumsy steps. Without wasting any time, Usagi began tidying up her space. She straightened soft throw pillows, gathered clothes from the back of the couch and tossed them into a pile on her bedroom floor, and quickly passed the vacuum along the white carpet.

"Usagi-chan," Luna called out tiredly, slinking out from underneath the blankets on Usagi's bed. "You're in a hurry. Company?"

"Seiya is coming over. I bet he'll be really happy to see you." Usagi glanced at the messy pile of clothes on the floor before she closed the door to her bedroom, concealing the mess.

"Oh," Luna gasped out, a smile on her feline lips and a twinkle in her large round eyes. "I'd love to see him!" Suddenly, her smile faltered and she gave a hesitant look toward the front door.

"Do you think that's a good idea?" Luna asked gently. Her tone was worried. Motherly.

At Usagi's surprised look, Luna added quickly, "Just that the neighbors might notice him coming here and think-"

Usagi waved her hand and cut her off, "Don't worry, we thought about that. Seiya promised that he has a really good disguise."

Excitement bubbled within Usagi when she heard a knock - confident, musical - on the door to her apartment. She wasn't sure what she was expecting. A fake mustache? A cheap blonde wig? A mailman costume, perhaps? What she found when she opened the door was completely unexpected, but made so much sense.

Kou Seiya stood in front of her, but not like he was when she saw him earlier that day.

While Seiya wore the same black jeans that clung to his thighs, he now wore a form-fitting v-neck white shirt. It wasn't the outfit that that made her look twice, however. It was breasts, small and natural, that added soft curves to the shirt, and the bit of cleavage that peeked from the point of the neckline. The longer that Usagi stared - jaw hanging open, eyes scanning wildly - the more differences she noticed. Seiya's jawline was now more slender and delicate, and her curly, blue-black hair hung down her back, no longer contained by a hair-tie.

Usagi blinked a few times to bring herself back to earth.

"S-Seiya." She stuttered out. Her eyes were still as wide as dinner plates and she knew there was nothing inconspicuous about the way she looked up and down the woman's body.

Seiya pushed her sunglasses down her nose and smirked at the confused blonde. Usagi noticed that she took time to sweep jet black eyeliner on her waterline, intensifying the blueness of her almond-shaped eyes. "Are you gonna let me in or what, Odango?"

"Y-yeah," Usagi murmured, stepping aside. As Seiya walked into her house, she couldn't help but notice that her bottom looked more round and full in those clingy black jeans.

"Seiya!" Luna called out, rushing to the door to greet their visitor. With a large smile, Seiya knelt down and began to stroke the soft black fur on the top of Luna's head. "It's so good to see you, Luna!" Usagi noticed how much softer and more feminine the woman's voice was. "Yaten sends her love to you."

Usagi had been so focused on Seiya's appearance that she didn't notice the wooden guitar strapped to the woman's back, nor the leather-bound notebook in her hand until she set them on the floor.

"I hope you don't mind," Seiya piped as she leaned the lacquered guitar against the couch. "I thought I'd do some writing while you finish your homework."

As Usagi clacked away on the computer's keyboard and munched on the last bites of her sandwich, she listened to Seiya and Luna enjoy each other's company. Seiya updated the feline on the lives of the other Lights, the restoration of Kinomoku, and what she had been doing to pass the time on her planet. At the mention of Seiya's music, Luna spoke with excitement, "I'd love to hear it some time!"

Seiya was happy to oblige, and soon the musician's graceful fingers were expertly sliding across the strings of the guitar that now sat in her lap. Usagi watched with awe, intrigued by the gentle melody and fragmented lyrics.

When she stopped singing, she still continued to stroke the strings gently. "It's not done yet. I'm working on it," she said with a low voice. Though she tried her best to keep her eyes on her homework assignment, Usagi couldn't help but look up when she heard the shyness in Seiya's voice. It surprised her for a moment that Seiya - who she saw as strong and defiant, could also have moments of vulnerability. But then again, she knew that didn't she? Instantly, her mind flashed to the two of them on the roof in the rain, Seiya professing his love as she cried for Mamoru.

Suddenly, Luna looked over at the clock and gasped. "Oh my, is that the time?"

"Forget something, Luna?" Seiya asked with concern.

"Yes, but nothing too serious," she said as she stood up and stretched her body. "Artemis and I promised Ami-chan that we'd help her with some Silver Millenium history today."

Usagi raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"Ami-chan wants to create a historical archive of our solar system. I think between the two of us Artemis can recount some of the major people and events. It will be good for you girls to learn more about where you come from."

Seiya raised a curious black eyebrow. "What's the Silver Millenium?"

"It's a long, complicated story," she said quickly, sweeping the issue away. The idea of explaining her role in that history seemed daunting and unpleasant. Another reminder that her future was not entirely in her hands. "Well, have fun, Luna. Can't wait to see it when it's done!"

Later, after Luna had left and the only sounds in the apartment were the light clicks of computer keys and gentle strums of guitar strings, Usagi closed her laptop and declared loudly, "All done!" After putting text books and note books back into her backpack, she looked up to see that Seiya had set her guitar down and was now walking around the living room. She looked carefully at the items and decorations peppered around the living room, flexing and stretching her hands as she moved.

"Where do you keep it?" She asked suddenly. Her dark eyes were searching the living room for something familiar.

"The burner?" Usagi asked. At Seiya's nod, she looked toward the hall. "It's in my room." There was a pause as Usagi considered her next move. Would Mamoru like Seiya being in their room? While part of her argued, Seiya's a woman! It's not any different than Rei-chan or Ami-chan being here, she knew that it wasn't true. This beautiful woman with her curves and sultry eyes was still the Seiya who wrote that letter that angered Mamoru so much.

But it was the look in Seiya's eyes that helped her make the decision. Her eyes, deep and blue, were tinged with sadness and longing. They were like windows to her heart, and Usagi could clearly see what she needed. Seiya wasn't looking for the burner out of curiosity. She needed to see it. She was yearning for it.

It must feel so lonely to be so far away from home.

"Wait just a second, okay?" She asked, suddenly nervous for different reasons as she remembered the pile of clothes on the floor. Seiya smiled, a glimmer of hope in her eyes, as Usagi quickly ducked into her bedroom and closed the door behind her. Quickly, she threw the pile of clothes into her closet and pushed the door closed.

"Okay! You can come in now," she called out.

The door opened slowly, and Seiya poked her head inside.

"Over here," Usagi said, beckoning the Starlight closer.

As Seiya crossed the room to join her friend near the bed, Usagi picked up the elegant-looking burner from the table and held it out. With a soft smile and a far away, nostalgic look in her eyes, Seiya carefully took the delicate object with both hands. Usagi didn't miss the way that her friend's eyes lit up with joy, or how she breathed such a big, full sigh, that her entire body seemed to relax.

"I'm so glad we were able to give this to you," she said softly. "This holds so many memories for us."

"I feel so honored to have it," Usagi whispered.

"We would sing to our princess, hoping that wherever she was, she could hear our voices calling out to her. But there were days when we felt so defeated… we were sure that we wouldn't see her again. But when we saw Chibi-Chibi with this, it renewed our faith and our hope."

When Seiya closed her eyes, Usagi noticed how long and thick her dark lashes were as they lay stark against her skin. Bringing the burner to her lips with careful hands, she pressed a gentle kiss to it.

"Do you miss Kinmoku?" Usagi asked gently.

Tears brimmed at the bottom of the alien's eyes as she gave a short nod. "Yes. Everyday. But I love it here too." She set the burner down on the bedside table and looked up, her eyes taking in the rest of the room. Her lips were tight as her gaze moved over the trinkets and photos. They lingered for a moment on Usagi and Mamoru's engagement photo.

She closed her eyes for a long, heavy moment, and then opened them to look somewhere else. Usagi could see the apprehension and the hurt.

Maybe Seiya did still feel the same.

Crouching down, Seiya picked up a case that had been haphazardly set down on the bottom shelf. As Usagi watched her, a question teased the tip of her tongue. It was something she had wondered since she first laid eyes on the alien as he watched the sun set from the top of Jubaan High School. A question that her friends had asked her several times since the news of Seiya's return.

"Why did you come back?"

Without bothering to look up at Usagi, she answered without missing a beat. "Because I missed Earth, Usagi. You know that."

Her answer seemed so flippant. Finally, she looked up with a wide, enthusiastic grin and held up the slim video game case. "Mortal Kombat?"

It was odd to see the Starlight's demeanor change so suddenly. Usagi was beginning to understand what it looked like from the outside when someone was trying to hide their feelings. Beyond the exaggerated smile, she could see the sadness in Seiya's eyes. Usagi knew too well what it was like to need a distraction. To be so overwhelmed by the storm raging inside.

So she dropped it.

She'll talk to me when she's ready, she told herself. She wondered how many times Mamoru had told himself the same thing about her.

As Seiya took her time choosing a character from the menu, Usagi took this opportunity to look her over. Her skin had a gently sun-kissed tan with a smooth, silky complexion. The blonde found herself just a bit envious over how flawless her skin was. Her black hair gleamed blue in the sunlight, and as Usagi's eyes followed its length, she admired its dramatic waves and the way it curled at the ends.

"Odango," Seiya said flatly, turning to look her in the eye.

"Y-yes?"She asked, a soft blush spreading across her nose and cheeks.

"You're still staring."

"O-oh. Gomen, Seiya-kun. Seiya-chan. I, oh." Usagi took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, I don't know what to call you."

Seiya laughed a deep, hearty laugh that made Usagi blush a deeper shade of red. "You're so cute, Odango. Seiya-kun is fine."

Usagi's blush deepened. She felt anxiety at the back of her throat, but she decided to be brave and keep voicing her foolish thoughts. She hoped she wouldn't say the wrong thing.

"Are you a woman often on your planet?"

Seiya nodded, "Yes, but it's usually because I'm often transformed there."

"Can I ask you something really personal?" She was a little embarrassed at how quiet and meek her voice sounded. She took a deep, calming breath.

"You can ask me anything, Usagi-chan." Seiya's voice was gentle and encouraging.

"What do you like best? Being a man or a woman?"

Seiya's eyes were locked on Usagi's as they paused, taking time to think of how to answer.

"When I came to earth and had to live as Kou Seiya, it was the first time in my life that I felt like I was who I was supposed to be."

"So… does that mean that you're a boy?"

Seiya smiled. "I'd like to be all time, but I also love being Fighter. She's a part of me. I could never stop being a sailor guardian, no matter what planet I live on." His smile faltered a bit. "I don't think Yaten understands that yet. She thinks I'm rejecting myself and the Starlights. She thinks I'm changing myself to please others, but it's not like that."

"I'm sorry. Do you think Yaten will understand someday?" Usagi asked gently.

Seiya grinned, "Yeah, she's stubborn, but after serving the princess together for so long, we became a family. And Taiki understands. I'm sure she'll talk some sense into her."

"So… what do I call you?"

Seiya laughed and reached for Usagi's soft, slender hand. She looked down and noticed how Seiya's feminine hands were still larger than her own. His fingers still had patches of rough calluses on the tips from playing the guitar.

"You can call me what you've always called me, Odango."

"Are you he even when you have…" She motioned to her own breasts, causing Seiya to laugh even harder. "Yes, I'm still the same Seiya-kun, even when I have them."

After sharing their playful laugh, Usagi gripped Seiya's hand and gave it a firm, reassuring squeeze. "It doesn't look great for my neighbors to see a man walking inside my apartment, but I'm okay with you being a man here. I want you to be comfortable and be who you feel like you should be."

Seiya's smile was suddenly so wide, and his warm eyes were brimming with tears. He's so pretty, Usagi thought. Leaning in, Seiya gathered his friend into a tender hug and whispered gratefully, "Thank you for understanding, Odango." They held each other for some time before Seiya drew back.

"Do you mind if we play a round before I change?" He asked, motioning to the waiting screen.

"Sure," Usagi said with a smile. As Seiya finally made his character selection and moved on to choose a battle arena, she asked quietly, "Seiya-kun?"

"Yeah?"

"Can you tell me your skincare routine?"

Seiya's laugh was loud and warm.

"Of course, Odango."

"And what hair products you use," she added seriously. "And maybe your workout routine."

"I'll share everything with you," Seiya said. When Usagi looked into his eyes, she knew that this was true.